Working Smart.

Wise Buys

5 Books To Give You A Competitive Edge

June 08, 1997|By Sharon Honaker. Special to the Tribune.

The year 2000 is almost here. Are you ready for the challenges? Here is a sampling of new books that offer inspiration and practical guidance:

For women who aren't enthusiastic about entering the next century in their current job, Vicki Spina has written "Success 2000" (John Wiley & Sons, $16.95). If you're happy with your career, this book isn't for you. But if you're bored, dissatisfied or barely surviving, it is. Through questionnaires and checklists, Spina guides readers to assess their current job and recognize their strengths and weaknesses.

Spina defines success as being passionate about what you do. "You can have fun working. And the more fun you have, the more successful you'll be. Most successful people would do what they do, even if they weren't getting paid."

Spina also looks at the "new world of work" that's emerging, describing the characteristics needed not only to stay employed but get ahead. Two she stresses are developing communication skills and managing the bombardment of information.

For years, women have been urged to develop mentoring relationships. Yet some wonder if it's worth the effort. Julie Keene and Ione Jenson provide insights in "Emerging Women" (Hay House, $12.95).

The book contains stories of women -- including attorneys, midwives, artists and entrepreneurs -- who have grown to become independent, assertive and successful. For many, mentoring relationships were crucial.

Written primarily for women in their 40s or older, the stories in this book are mostly inspirational. But while the struggles and triumphs are engaging, there is a tendency to laud the women without always knowing how to personally apply their successes.

The book ends with how readers can tap their own potential. The ideas, many metaphysical, include developing a strong sense of self and a zest for life.

Another motivational book is "No Mountain High Enough" (Conari, $14.95). In it, Dorothy Ehrhart-Morrison profiles 32 successful black women, including Susan Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, and Dr. Vivian Pinn, director of the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health.

As informative as it is inspirational, this book looks at the common factors that helped these women succeed. Most had the support of parents and an extended family, valued an education and carefully planned their career moves. Stories don't gloss over the race and sex barriers these women have faced.

Whether you're entering the workforce for the first time or are a veteran player, an interview can be a stomach-churning experience.

To ease the tension, syndicated careers columnist Joyce Lain Kennedy has written "Job Interviews For Dummies" (IDG Books, $12.99). It covers the basics, including how to dress, when to talk money and how to respond when asked: "Why are you the best candidate for this job?"

Although many suggestions are familiar, they warrant repeating, especially if you haven't been through the interview process lately.

Other tips, however, are new, reflecting the changing world of work. For instance, Kennedy recommends downplaying loyalty and emphasizing productivity, noting that many companies no longer expect (or want) workers to stay for years. She also explains how to use the Internet to find jobs, research employers and conduct salary surveys.

Office dress codes have relaxed dramatically, and the corporate cookie-cutter look is dead. But to succeed you still must pay attention to your professional presence. That's what co-authors Susan Bixler (an image consultant) and Lisa Scherrer (a corporate trainer) argue in their book, "Take Action: 18 Proven Strategies for Advancing in Today's Changing Business World" (Fawcett-Columbine, $12.95). They advise seeking feedback on the image you project with your clothes, grooming and non-verbal cues. And while skills and experience are paramount, they remind that "over half of what is believed about us is visual, not verbal."